Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is located on the 3,883 m-high Klein Matterhorn.
• Europe's highest mountain station, at 3,883 m above sea level, can be reached from Zermatt by gondola in just 45 minutes.
• From Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can climb Breithorn (4,164 m above sea level) with a mountain guide. The tour takes around 3.5 hours.
• The famous Theodul Glacier is located at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
• The walk-through Glacier Palace lies 15 m beneath Theodul Glacier.
• The summer ski area on Theodul Glacier is the highest in Europe and is used by international ski pros as a training ground.
• Gravity Snowpark offers ideal conditions for jumps and slalom skiing.
• In winter, you can enjoy up to 360 km of pistes in the ski area, and 21 km in summer.

At 3,883 m above sea level, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is home to Europe's highest mountain station. Professional mountain guides set off from here with hikers for the summit of Breithorn, a 4,000-metre peak.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest point of an international ski area that is open all year round. In summer, it is Europe's largest summer ski area. Many renowned international winter sports athletes come here during the summer.

Klein Matterhorn at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The Klein Matterhorn is 3,883 m above sea level. Its viewing platform offers panoramic views that often stretch as far as Mont Blanc in France, which rises to 4,810 metres. The Klein Matterhorn is separated from the Matterhorn by the Theodul Glacier.

Theodul Glacier at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The Theodul Glacier consists of two glaciers at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Both stretch between the Breithorn and the Matterhorn. They are known as the Upper and Lower Theodul Glaciers and form part of the Gorner Glacier system.

Furi

Furi lies at 1,867 m above sea level, around three kilometres south of Zermatt. It is a transport hub within the ski area. From Furi, direct gondola connections take you to:

• Zermatt
• Trockener Steg
• Schwarzsee
• Riffelberg

The gondola to Riffelberg connects the Klein Matterhorn ski area with Gornergrat. Via a suspension bridge spanning Gorner Gorge, you can reach the Dossen Glacier Garden from Furi in 30 minutes. It is open all year round and showcases traces of the last ice age.

The Furi forest playground and the Ricola Herb Garden near Blatten offer fun for the whole family. The Schweigmatten fire pit is also nearby.

Schwarzsee

Schwarzsee lies at the foot of the Matterhorn at 2,552 m above sea level. The ridge of the same name (at 2,583 m above sea level) can be reached from both Furgg and Furi. The mountain railway station is located on the ridge. The view of the Hörnligrat on the Matterhorn, with the Hörnli Hut, is particularly impressive from here. Zermatt is also clearly visible.

The Matterhorn Glacier Trail and routes up the Matterhorn start at Schwarzsee station. You can reach the Hörnli Hut (at 3,260 m above sea level) in around two hours. In winter, ski runs pass through here. Schwarzsee is the first place in the ski area to get the morning sun.

Trockener Steg

About one kilometre from the snout of the Theodul Glacier, you'll find Trockener Steg mountain station. This ridge stretches between elevations of 2,900 and 3,000 m above sea level between Zermatt and Furggsattel. The slopes are particularly steep here.

Furggsattel

Furggsattel lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. This mountain pass is slightly higher than the nearby Theodul Pass, reaching 3,349 m above sea level. From Trockener Steg, you can reach it by chairlift. Furggsattel is flanked by the mountain peaks Furgghorn (3,451 m above sea level) and Theodulhorn (3,469 m above sea level).

Glacier Palace

The Glacier Palace is also located in Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It lies around fifteen metres beneath the surface of the Theodul Glacier. You reach the Glacier Palace by passenger lift. Alongside very old ice formations, it features sculptures skilfully carved into the ice.

In the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise - Schwarzsee area, five gondola lifts, two aerial cableways and two 3S cableways operate. Five ski lifts operate here in winter.

The fastest way to travel from Zermatt to Klein Matterhorn is by the Matterhorn Express 8-person gondola lift. The journey covers four sections and takes up to 45 minutes, including changes. From Zermatt to Klein Matterhorn, the lifts climb around 2,200 vertical metres.

A ride on a 3S cableway is a particularly memorable experience. It has heated seats and takes you to Europe's highest cable-car station in just nine minutes. This tricable gondola lift has large cabins. Since July 2023, Matterhorn Glacier Ride II has connected Klein Matterhorn with Testa Grigia on the Italian border.

Mountain lifts to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

As you explore Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you’ll come across restaurants and ski bars along the way. Most mountain railway stations also have restaurants.

Restaurant Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

At an altitude of 3,883 m above sea level, you’ll find Europe’s highest mountain restaurant. The restaurant even has a fully equipped conference room for up to 72 people.

The menu features daily-changing dishes from Valais cuisine, including burgers, pasta and skillet dishes. In the show kitchen, you can watch the food being prepared. Large panoramic windows offer fantastic views of the mountain landscape.

The building meets the latest environmental standards and is 100% energy self-sufficient. A photovoltaic system on the south side supplies the energy. A microbiological wastewater treatment plant completes the environmental concept.

open daily: 09:15 to 15:15

Schwarzsee Mountain Restaurant

Schwarzsee Mountain Restaurant serves traditional Swiss dishes at an altitude of 2,600 m above sea level.

The gondola takes you to Schwarzsee station via Furi in around 20 minutes. Along the way, you’ll already enjoy breathtaking views of the Matterhorn.

Open daily during the season: 09:00–15:30 Summer season 2026: 3 July to 30 August
Winter season: second week of December to third week of April

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is a year-round paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Snowshoe hikers can enjoy the exceptionally beautiful Glacier Trail, where the 4,000-metre peaks feel remarkably close.

Activities at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise include:

• Skiing, snowboarding and sledging
• Snowshoeing
• Hiking
• Mountaineering and climbing
• Ski touring and cross-country skiing
• Mountain biking

In summer, mountain bikers can enjoy the trail from Schwarzsee to Zermatt, for example. Whenever possible, mountain tours and via ferrata routes should be undertaken with a professional mountain guide. Guided tours are also available for the snowshoe hike along the Glacier Trail.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area

The ski area is regularly named the best ski area in the Alps. The famous Matterhorn is always in view, too. From Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can admire a total of 38 peaks that are at least 4,000 metres high.

In the Zermatt ski area, including the Italian section of Breuil Cervinia, you have access to 360 km of pistes. The winter sports area stretches from around 1,600 to 3,899 m above sea level. In summer, 21 km of groomed pistes are available.

Children and young people under 16 can ski or snowboard for free on Saturdays.

The ski schools in Zermatt offer lessons for adults, teenagers and children.

Ski touring offers from Swiss Activities:

• Ski tour to Breithorn and Schwarztor
• Mountain or ski tour to Breithorn
• Ski tour to Breithorn and Theodul Glacier

Gravity Snowpark at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The Snowpark is a fun park located on the Plateau Rosà at the Theodul Glacier. This freestyle hotspot is the highest in Europe, situated near the Furggsattel Glacier Lift at an altitude of 3,250 m. You’ll find six creative lines spanning around 1,200 m.

The Funslope is also suitable for kids, providing an exciting yet playful descent. Depending on your skill level, you can take speedy steep turns, ride through tunnels, or go over hills. Some obstacles along the way make the route even more engaging.

Winter highlights in the Snowpark include:

• Funslope for beginners & advanced
• Beginner Line with 12 jumps and 12 boxes
• Boardercross track
• Rail Garden with 8 rails
• Slopestyle with 3 rails and 3 jumps

From Zermatt, you can get here from Trockener Steg via the Matterhorn Glacier Ride (3S gondola), the Furggsattel chairlift, or the cable car.

Open: October to mid-May

Snowshoeing at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is a path that takes about 5 hours to complete. It’s popular for its stunning views of the Matterhorn and is offered as a guided snowshoe hike.

Offering Matterhorn Glacier Trail at Swiss Activities:

• Snowshoeing Matterhorn Glacier Trail

Snow School at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

All year round, you can take advantage of a snow school at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Here, you get the chance to improve your skiing and snowboarding skills under the guidance of a highly trained snow sports instructor. The ski instructors use modern teaching aids for this purpose. Classes are available in groups or as private lessons.

Swiss Activities Offers for Ski School:

• Private Summer Ski School

Swiss Activities Offers for Freestyle Ski School:

• Private Freestyle Snowboard School
• Private Freestyle Ski School

Hiking at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Hikes around Schwarzsee are very popular. This is where you can feel the Matterhorn up close. In the summer months, hiking between the individual mountain railway stations is also a great option. You can then continue your journey by mountain railway to Zermatt.

Some hiking trails at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise:

Muleteers’ Trail: Trockener Steg - Furi

• Distance: 7.4 km
• Duration: 2:30 hours
• Elevation gain: 1,165 m

• Season: June to October

Matterhorn Glacier Trail: Trockener Steg - Schwarzsee

• Distance: 6.6 km
• Duration: 2:00 hours
• Elevation gain: 363 m

• Season: June to September

Larch Trail: Schwarzsee - Furi

• Distance: 4.4 km
• Duration: 1:40 hours
• Elevation gain: 716 m

• Season: June to September

At 3,800 m above sea level, the air is very thin. Not everyone copes well with this altitude, especially during physical exertion. Headaches are not uncommon from 2,500 m above sea level. Because of the lower air pressure, it is important to acclimatise for a while first to avoid putting your health at risk. Pulmonary oedema can be life-threatening. Before visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you should speak to your doctor about whether this altitude could pose a health risk for you.

Even in summer, temperatures rarely rise above +5 °C, helping to preserve the snow cover. In January and February, temperatures of around −35 °C are not uncommon.

The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is a very special destination for a winter vacation, even in summer. The huge mountains all around and always the view of the striking Matterhorn make the vacation an unforgettable experience.